Novell is the first Linux vendor to achieve 5,000 certified applications; double the number of Red Hat

WALTHAM, Mass. | April 27, 2010

Novell today announced more than 5,000 software applications are fully certified on the latest versions of SUSE® Linux Enterprise, with independent software vendors (ISVs) contributing an average of 150 new applications each month. Based on publicly available information, SUSE Linux Enterprise 9, 10 and 11 have the most certified software applications of any Linux* distribution, now with twice as many certified applications as the latest versions of Red Hat Enterprise Linux, the next closest distribution. As Linux has entered the mainstream, the breadth and depth of application support for SUSE Linux Enterprise makes it the logical choice for end-users who require flexibility and versatility to deploy a variety of applications and workloads on different hardware and across virtual and cloud infrastructures.

Novell's lead over Red Hat extends across a broad variety of application categories and vertical industries worldwide. Partly as a result of Novell's focus on its ISV ecosystem, SUSE Linux Enterprise is the fastest-growing Linux distribution on the basis of revenue growth, increasing its worldwide market share of Linux operating system revenue by 5 points from calendar year 2007 to 2008.

In addition to the growing SUSE Linux Enterprise Server footprint, many ISVs are attracted to Novell because of the industry-leading SUSE Appliance Program. Thanks to the patent-pending technology in SUSE StudioTM, any ISV who is certified on SUSE Linux Enterprise Server is also certified on a SUSE-powered virtual appliance.

"We chose to work with Novell to build our application on SUSE Linux Enterprise Server because not only is it an interoperable platform that works well with Windows, it is also one of the best platforms for building software appliances," said Bertram Mandel, vice president, Sales and Services and managing director, Ingres Germany. "Novell provided us with the technology and go-to-market support needed to build the SUSE Studio Appliance Template for Ingres Database. We're now working with Novell to market our database application to their large ISV ecosystem, giving us an opportunity to generate additional revenue."

Over the last two years Novell has focused on creating the strongest Linux application ecosystem, certifying more than 3,500 applications and developing new tools and programs to support ISVs. These include:

The SUSE Appliance Program, a comprehensive business and technology program that helps ISVs rapidly build, test, sell and manage software appliances. This includes SUSE Studio, the easiest and fastest way to build software appliances for physical, virtual or cloud deployment.

SUSE Linux Enterprise Server for cloud computing, which allows ISVs, such as IBM, to offer a wide range of software on a reliable, fully-supported enterprise Linux platform, backed by flexible, pay-as-you-go pricing.

The joint Microsoft-Novell Interoperability Lab in Cambridge, Mass., which facilitates enhanced interoperability between SUSE Linux Enterprise and Windows in areas such as virtualization, systems management and identity management.

The Mono® project, which enables ISVs to develop applications with .NET, including C#, and deploy them on SUSE Linux Enterprise with full support.

A group of dedicated Novell engineers who work closely with strategic ISVs to port and certify their solutions on SUSE Linux Enterprise.

Go-to-market programs with ISVs, system integrators, service providers, distributors and resellers that leverage the synergies which exist throughout the extended ecosystem of partners.

"Our investment in building a strong ISV community has paid off," said Markus Rex, senior vice president and general manager of Open Platform Solutions at Novell. "We have deepened our partner relationships and worked with ISVs to deliver the applications most in demand by our customers. We have given customers more reasons than ever to choose SUSE Linux Enterprise and more ways they can obtain value from it."

About SUSE Linux EnterpriseThe next-generation platform for the open enterprise, SUSE Linux Enterprise is the best-engineered and most interoperable platform for mission-critical computing, from the desktop to the data center. For more information about SUSE Linux Enterprise, visit www.novell.com/linux.

About Novell

Novell, Inc. (Nasdaq: NOVL) delivers the best engineered, most interoperable Linux platform and a portfolio of integrated IT management software that helps customers around the world reduce cost, complexity and risk. With our infrastructure software and ecosystem of partnerships, Novell harmoniously integrates mixed IT environments, allowing people and technology to work as one. For more information, visit www.novell.com.

Novell, Mono and SUSE are registered trademarks and Studio is a trademark of Novell, Inc. in the United States and other countries. *All third-party trademarks are the property of their respective owners.